International Society of Nephrology (ISN) To Organize First-Of-Its-Kind International Symposium On Albuminuria

Society to Collaborate with National Kidney Foundation on Event to discuss the Importance of the Protein Albumin in Disease Identification and Prevention

WASHINGTON, D.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 9, 2004-- The International Society of Nephrology (ISN) announced today that the Society and the National Kidney Foundation will organize the First International Symposium on Albuminuria. The conference, titled "The Role Of Albuminuria In Health And Disease; Predicting Outcomes And Targets For Therapy," will take place in New York City May 16-18 and will provide a forum for medical and research experts from around the world to discuss the role of albuminuria as an independent marker and therapy target for the early detection and prevention of kidney and cardiovascular disease. Since its foundation in 1960, the ISN has pursued the worldwide advancement of education, science and patient care in nephrology.

"One of our main objectives as an organization is to educate our members on the latest clinical findings in the field of nephrology. A growing body of clinical evidence has proven the significance of testing urine for albuminuria to detect diseases in the early stages," said Dr. Jan Weening, president of the International Society of Nephrology. "We feel that this meeting will provide invaluable clinical data to our constituents which will result in improved patient care around the globe."

The ISN is launching worldwide initiatives to increase the awareness of microalbuminuria as a renal and cardiovascular risk marker in people with type 2 diabetes. Studies show that if detected in its initial stages, severe kidney disease can be slowed, halted and in some cases reversed with common drug therapies. Clinical research has proven that a high level of albumin, a condition called microalbuminuria, is an early and reliable marker of the risk of progression of kidney and cardiovascular disease, which are worldwide problems.

"Early detection of higher than normal levels of urinary albumin is not only indicative of a risk for kidney and cardiovascular disease, but also appears to indicate a need for preventative treatment," said Dr. Dick de Zeeuw, Professor and Head of the Department of Clinical Pharmacology of the University of Groningen in The Netherlands and the Symposium's Chairman. "The conference is aiming to obtain an understanding of the current status of this topic by the joint input of many experts in this field."

The Symposium is supported by the American Society of Nephrology, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the American Heart Association and the American Diabetes Association. The financial sponsor of this event is AusAm Biotechnologies, Inc.

About the International Society of Nephrology

Since its foundation in 1960, the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) has pursued the worldwide advancement of education, science and patient care in nephrology. This goal is achieved by means of the Society's journal, the organization of international congresses and symposia, and various outreach programs around the world. The ISN acts as an international forum on nephrology for leading nephrologists as well as young investigators, from both developed and emerging countries. Further information is available at www.isn-online.org.

About AusAm Biotechnologies, Inc.

AusAm is a biotechnology research and development company commercializing both diagnostic and therapeutics products to identify and treat major diseases. AusAm's recently FDA-cleared diagnostic for the detection of intact albumin in urine is the first direct test to measure a potential indicator of the beginning stages of kidney and cardiovascular disease, and is currently offered by several reference laboratories and hospitals in the United States.